Joe Cole says Inter Milan star would be the ‘perfect signing’ for Arsenal
Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole (Picture: Getty) Joe Cole believes that one of Inter Milan’s key players would be the ‘perfect signing’ for Arsenal to kickstart their summer transfer window. Heading for yet another trophyless season under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal are expected to be active in the transfer market as they search for the winning formula next season. In midfield, Martin Zubimendi has emerged as the club’s primary target, with reports claiming the Spaniard has already agreed personal terms on a £51million move to the Emirates. But, without doubt, Arsenal’s top priority will be to sign an out-and-out striker to lead the line after their lack of depth was exposed this campaign following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Mikel Merino has proved an adequate makeshift replacement, but signing a striker is viewed as imperative by new sporting director Andrea Berta. Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are both of interest to the Gunners, while Berta himself is said to be pushing for the club to make a move for prolific Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres. However, Cole believes that Arsenal should have their eyes set on a more experienced striker and namechecked Inter’s Lautaro Martinez as the ideal candidate. Mikel Arteta has publicly spoken about his desire to sign a striker this summer (Picture: Getty) A World Cup winner and two-time Serie A champion, Martinez has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season to help his side into the Champions League final and contention for another league title. The Argentine, who is under contract at Inter until 2029, turns 28 this summer, but Cole believes that shouldn’t stop the north London club from pursuing a deal. ‘We’ve mentioned Evanilson and (Benjamin) Sesko before [as potential targets], but I still think a perfect striker for Arsenal would be Lautaro Martinez,’ said Cole on The Dressing Room Podcast. Cole reckons Inter’s Lautaro Martinez could be the perfect match for the Gunners (Picture: Getty) ‘He’s older, but look at Lewandowski still banging in goals for Barcelona. Ronaldo is 40 and still scoring goals. Strikers can play on a bit later.’ Addressing Arsenal’s need for a striker more generally, Cole added: ‘For the last 20 years, they’ve kept getting the same jigsaw out, but each time they’re missing a different piece. ‘Under (Arsene) Wenger, they needed a holding midfielder and he’d go and buy two No.10s. ‘If I’m Arteta, even if I don’t believe I need a centre forward, I’m just going to go and buy one because as soon as we miss a chance, everyone is going to be on to him.’ Speaking last week, Arteta reiterated his desire to bring in a striker in the summer, but said signing a player of the requisite quality is easier said than done. ‘I want the best team, the best player. If we have three goal scorers over 25, bring them in and we’re going to be a much better team,’ said Arteta. ‘There’s not that many that put those numbers [up]. It’s something that’s in the stats. There’s not that many in the Premier League.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Joe Cole believes that one of Inter Milan’s key players would be the ‘perfect signing’ for Arsenal to kickstart their summer transfer window.
Heading for yet another trophyless season under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal are expected to be active in the transfer market as they search for the winning formula next season.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi has emerged as the club’s primary target, with reports claiming the Spaniard has already agreed personal terms on a £51million move to the Emirates.
But, without doubt, Arsenal’s top priority will be to sign an out-and-out striker to lead the line after their lack of depth was exposed this campaign following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Mikel Merino has proved an adequate makeshift replacement, but signing a striker is viewed as imperative by new sporting director Andrea Berta.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are both of interest to the Gunners, while Berta himself is said to be pushing for the club to make a move for prolific Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.
However, Cole believes that Arsenal should have their eyes set on a more experienced striker and namechecked Inter’s Lautaro Martinez as the ideal candidate.
A World Cup winner and two-time Serie A champion, Martinez has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season to help his side into the Champions League final and contention for another league title.
The Argentine, who is under contract at Inter until 2029, turns 28 this summer, but Cole believes that shouldn’t stop the north London club from pursuing a deal.
‘We’ve mentioned Evanilson and (Benjamin) Sesko before [as potential targets], but I still think a perfect striker for Arsenal would be Lautaro Martinez,’ said Cole on The Dressing Room Podcast.
‘He’s older, but look at Lewandowski still banging in goals for Barcelona. Ronaldo is 40 and still scoring goals. Strikers can play on a bit later.’
Addressing Arsenal’s need for a striker more generally, Cole added: ‘For the last 20 years, they’ve kept getting the same jigsaw out, but each time they’re missing a different piece.
‘Under (Arsene) Wenger, they needed a holding midfielder and he’d go and buy two No.10s.
‘If I’m Arteta, even if I don’t believe I need a centre forward, I’m just going to go and buy one because as soon as we miss a chance, everyone is going to be on to him.’
Speaking last week, Arteta reiterated his desire to bring in a striker in the summer, but said signing a player of the requisite quality is easier said than done.
‘I want the best team, the best player. If we have three goal scorers over 25, bring them in and we’re going to be a much better team,’ said Arteta.
‘There’s not that many that put those numbers [up]. It’s something that’s in the stats. There’s not that many in the Premier League.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
